The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria has said that the country’s ongoing tax reforms are driving higher demand for skilled and ethical professionals, cautioning that practitioners will now be held to stricter standards under the new framework.
Speaking on Thursday in Abuja at the institute’s 54th induction ceremony, its President and Chairman of Council, Innocent Ohagwa, said the changing tax environment places greater responsibility on professionals to help individuals and businesses navigate increasingly complex reforms.
“There is, perhaps, no better time to be a tax professional than now.
“Across the country, individuals, businesses and institutions are seeking guidance. They are seeking clarity in the midst of change,” Ohagwa said.
He further stated that the institute has tightened its standards on professional competence and ethics, noting that “technical competence is now non-negotiable for recertification,” while ethical behaviour remains central to maintaining trust in the profession.
Ohagwa explained that the new tax laws mark a significant shift for the industry, pointing out that the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025, now formally recognises certified tax agents and strengthens the mandate of professional bodies like the CITN in regulating tax practice.
He called on members to support the ongoing reforms, warning that professionalism and integrity would play a decisive role in sustaining public confidence in the tax system.
“We must all support these reforms, not just in words, but in practice. Guide your clients and employers with great competence and integrity,” he said.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Membership and Professional Conduct Committee, Yemi Sanni, said the induction was taking place at a pivotal moment, as Nigeria’s tax system undergoes what he described as “the most far-reaching transformation in its modern history.”
He noted that reforms introduced from January 2026, including a new tax administration framework and the harmonisation of tax laws, are already reshaping the practice and administration of taxation in the country.
He said the success of the reforms would depend on the active involvement of professionals across the sector.
“The reforms, desirable as they are, will not implement themselves. All stakeholders, and tax professionals in particular, have a critical role to play,” he said.
Sanni also stressed the need for ethics and continuous professional development, warning that the field now demands “competence, discipline, and a high level of ethical conduct” in an increasingly dynamic regulatory environment.
The induction ceremony formally admitted new members as associates of the institute, with about 1,435 inductees in total.
Meanwhile, in June 2025, President Bola Tinubu signed four tax reform bills into law, including the Nigeria Tax Act and other related legislation aimed at overhauling long-standing tax laws and modernising Nigeria’s tax system.
